Temporal Pendulum (english)

7) 05/29/16 - 08:12 am

INT. JIANG TIAN and SHENG WANG's KITCHEN - DAY

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, Voice over)
Sometimes, it feels like a day of rest with Sheng Wang is equivalent to a year of rest, considering how rare it is. I'm not used to the sounds coming from the kitchen utensils, especially when I'm the one making them. It feels like ages since I last cooked breakfast for Sheng Wang. 'When was the last time again?'

Before I could fall deeper into memories, Sheng Wang caught the onion that fell due to my distraction.

SHENG WANG
(teasing)
"Early, huh?"

As he turns on the faucet to wash the fallen onion, I wanted to kiss his forehead, but instead, Sheng Wang hugged me from behind at that moment already.

I began to count his heartbeats. 'Old habits die hard,' I thought.

JIANG TIAN
(worried)
"Hmm, how are you feeling now? Are you okay?"

I gently removed Sheng Wang's embrace and turned to face him to observe him better. 'I might as well grab a penlight and stethoscope to feel reassured right now.'

SHENG WANG
(annoyed, somewhat shouting)
"Yeah, I'm fine! You're just being so extra careful last night, it's ruining the mood to be honest."

I paused in my thoughts, considering how Sheng Wang got the bruise on his side upon hearing his response.

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, Voice over)
'Oh right, he doesn't like it when I play doctor at home... What can I do if he's technically still a patient of mine?'

I quickly replied with an 'okay.' as I decided not to say anything more. After all, I knew what he would say next... lines like, 'Is it forbidden to breathe next time?' or 'Are my meds not working anymore?'

Sheng Wang quietly went to the living room while I continued cooking. When I heard a familiar line from a movie, I knew we would spend the entire afternoon watching his favorite film - (More Than Blue by Won Tae-yeon, 2009).

**

An hour has passed since Sheng Wang's favorite movie started on TV.

For an hour, SHENG WANG has not given JIANG TIAN an attention as he just lay on his right arm.

Meanwhile, JIANG TIAN focused on counting Sheng Wang's heartbeats per minute when suddenly, SHENG WANG broke the silence by calling his name.

SHENG WANG
(softly)
"Jiang Tian?"

JIANG TIAN
(teasing)
"Yes, babe?"

SHENG WANG
(teasingly annoyed, about to smack Jiang Tian on the chest but hesitated)
"Seriously!...Anyway have you made arrangements for the day after tomorrow?"

SHENG WANG returned his attention to the movie, which seemed to be at its most beautiful part.

JIANG TIAN

"Ah, yeah, it's all set." 

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, Voice over)
Just then, I felt his tears on my arm, and I glanced at the television where the female lead was grieving.

'Maybe he thinks we're like the two leads in the movie?'

But this isn't a movie; it's all real. My love for Sheng Wang, the mystery of someone like me, the truth that I'm different from who Sheng Wang is, and the lies I've held onto for years...

SHENG WANG
(softly, crying because of the movie)
"Jiang Tian, we're not going to have a sad happy ending like them, right?"

JIANG TIAN chuckled to himself.

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, Voice over)
'How can there be sadness in a happy ending?'

But seeing Sheng Wang's serious expression made me answer him seriously as well.

JIANG TIAN
"Yeah, no."

I noticed Sheng Wang furrow his brow at my answer, but really, it wasn't the answer that was messy; it was their situation right now.

Minutes passed, and I noticed Sheng Wang didn't press for a clearer answer from me. This gave me a chance to change the subject.

JIANG TIAN
(trying to convince)
"I promise I won't be late on the day we go to the museum."

SHENG WANG
(sarcastic)
"And this is a comedy we're watching? These are tears of joy I am crying."

SHENG WANG let out a musical laugh that quickly turned into sadness afterward.

FADE TO BLACK